Respiratory Tract

Question 1

What are the contents of the upper respiratory tract? going from top to bottom

Answer 1

• Nose
• Paranasal sinuses (Frontal, Sphenoid, Maxillary sinuses)
• Mouth (includes tonsils)
• Throat/Pharynx
• Larynx

Question 2

What is the nasal septum?

Answer 2

The cartilage/bones which separate the nasal cavity into 2 nostrils

Question 3

What are the functions of the nose?

Answer 3

• Warms & filters air (via concha(e))

- Sense of SMELL (olfactory receptors)

Question 4

What are paranasal sinuses?

Answer 4

A group of sinuses located near the nose

• Air filled spaces
• Within bones of skull & face

Question 5

What is an Oro-antral fistula?

Answer 5

When upper teeth are extracted, sometimes the bone of the maxilla is also remove creating an opening into the maxillary sinuses

Question 6

What is the pharynx + function and how many parts does it have?

Answer 6

• Muscular tube - base of skull to oesophagus
• Conducts air
• Direct food to oesophagus
• 3 parts: Nasopharynx, Oropharynx, Laryngopharynx

Question 7

What are the contents of the lower respiratory tract?

Answer 7

• Larynx
• Trachea
• Right & left bronchus then bronchi
• Lungs

Question 8

Function of larynx?

Answer 8

• Voicebox, generates sound

- Acts as sphincter

Question 9

Makeup of the larynx?

Answer 9

2 of each:

• Arytenoid cartilage
• Corniculate cartilage
• Cuneiform cartilage

1 Epiglottis

Question 10

What is a cricothyroidotomy and how is it performed?

Answer 10

Incision through skin and cricothyroid membrane to establish airway due to blockage

Question 11

What shape are the cartilage rings of the trachea and what position is the trachea in respect to oesophagus?

Answer 11

C shaped (no cartilage posteriorly) and orientation below

Sits in front of oesophagus
CO

Question 12

What is a tracheostomy?

Answer 12

Where a tube is entered into patients windpipe/trachea either short term or for long term ventilation allowing for air flow

Question 13

What is so unique between the right and left bronchus in the lefts?

Answer 13

The right bronchus is VERTICAL, GREATER DIAMETER & SHORTER than left bronchus

foreign body more likely to go to right bronchus due to verticalness

Question 14

What is surfactant and its function in the lungs/alveoli?

Answer 14

A compound to lower surface tension at air/liquid interface within the alveoli of the lung